Fire bomb



Oct. 24, 1961 H. w. RONFELDT FIRE BOMB 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16. 1955 RT 5 m W mm Nfl R s a W m mm N no 9 J 2 m. m A Q 9 MN N \v 2 mm mm mm vw m. t m m w 2 mm mm B w 5 0; s w. W V WMWM ow vgvvv vvvvvv 8/ Q wd: 9 9 mm I I N mm 9 0. mm mm mm mm mm mm S mm mm m 5 6 2m. 3

- FIRE BOMB 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16. 1955 NM Q 0 0 NW 2 mm mm Mm a Nd:

T mo H T L N m flu m w w 5 A R W 0 H W Y B mm K Oct. 24, 1961 H. w. RONFELDT FIRE BOMB 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16. 1955 INVENTOR H. W. RONFELDT ORNEY United States Pater 3,005,406 FIRE BOMB Howard W. Ronfeldt, Toledo, ()hio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed May 16, 1955, Ser. No. 508,832 6 Claims. (Cl. 102-6) This invention relates to a bomb and more particularly to a collapsible casing suitable for use with a fire bomb and adapted to contain any conventional type of inflammable fluid. I

The externally mounted containers for inflammable fluid such, for example, as now used as a fire bomb on high speed aircraft, must have certain qualifications alien to the ordinary design. It is necessary to mount the bomb exteriorly, usually under the main wing structure because of the limited space available in the fuselage. Thus under such conditions, the exposed bomb must be capable of withstanding the force to which it is subjected during high speed flight. Furthermore, storage and shipping of this type of fire bomb is difiicult for the reason that due to the size and shape of the component parts, compact packaging thereof is prevented. Moreover, it .is a laborious job to assemble a fire bomb featuring the conventional design, thus requiring too much time, and oftentimes numerous parts are bent out of shape or otherwise rendered useless by distortion during packing and transportation.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved fire bomb casing which overcomes the aforesaid disadvantages encountered in prior art devices and which offers a novel solution to the problem by providing a collapsible casing of sufficient strength to withstand the forces to which it is subjected during a flight mission and which is sealed in such a manner as to main tain the inflammable fluid therein. Moreover, the bomb casing comprises a nose section and two aft sections, the aforesaid sections being telescoped into the center section during transportation and storage, the sections however, when extended for use are sealed by sealing joints and locking elements adapted to compress the sealing gaskets into sealing engagement with the joints as the elements are forcibly driven into engagement with cam elements on the joints whereupon the casing is sealed and ready to be filled with the inflammable fluid. The aforesaid arrangement provides a device which is readily assembled for service within a minimum period of time without the use of many different types of tools. Moreover, the device of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with the type of fire bomb disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Renato Bianchi et al. for a Bomb Fuze, Serial No. 333,625, filed January 27, 1953, now US. Patent No. 2,853,010.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved unitary fire bomb structure characterized by case of assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire bomb casing capable of withstanding the force to which it is subjected during high speed flight when exteriorly mounted on an aircraft.

Still another object of the invention is to facilitate storage and crating by designing the component sections of the bomb casing such that they may be telescoped into a compact package.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bomb casing having a plurality of telescoping sections having new and improved sealing means for providing a leak proof connection between the sections when the sections are extended and locked in the extended position.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a central longitudinal sectional view of the 7 FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the sealing joints in a sealed condition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the sealing joint in an unsealed condition;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View illustrating the spring device for detachably securing the nose and tail to the bomb casing.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 18 thereof,

the reference character 10 generally indicates a collapsible casing of a fire bomb. The casing comprises a nose section 11, a substantially central section 12, a pair of aft sections 1314, the section 14 constituting the tail or trailing end of the bomb. It will be noted that the aforesaid sections are constructed of thin sheet material, the sections being preferably composed of non-critical mate rial such, for example, as aluminum, iron or certain types of pliable plastics. The aforesaid sections are each provided with a plurality of circumferentially disposed interlocking sealing structures generally indicated by the reference characters 15, 16, and 17, the sealing connections 15, 16 and 17 being disposed between sections 11- 12, 1213 and 13-14 respectively.

The sealing connections are substantially identical in construction and each includes an inner and outer annular member generally indicated by the reference characters 18 and 19. It will be noted, FIGS. 1A and 1B, that an inner annular member 18 is disposed within the open end of each section11-14 and one open end of section 13, the other open end of section 13 having an outer annular member 19 disposed therein and the center section having an outer annular member 19 disposed in each open end thereof. The aforesaid annular members 1819 are secured to their respective sections in any suitable manner such, for example, as by welding the parts together. As more clearly shown on FIGS. 1A and 1B each annular member 18 of the sealing structures 15-16 is integrally formed with annular reinforcing Webs or ribs 21 respectively, the annular member 18 of the sealing structure 17 being integrally formed with a bulk head 22.

For a more complete understanding of the construction and arrangement of the sealing means attention is directed to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. With reference to these figures it will be noted that the annular member 18 is bent upon itself as at 23 to form a flange 24, the flange being in spaced relation'with respect to the member 18 thereby to form an annular groove or channel 25 therebetween. A gasket 26 composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, fior example, as rubber or the like is disposed within the channel 25 between member 18 and flange 24;

A casing generally indicated by the reference character 28 is disposed within an opening 29 formed in the member 18 and comprises a flange 31, FIG. 4, secured thereto in any suitable manner preferably by welding the parts together. The casing is further provided with'a pair of mutually spacedwalls 3233 closed at .one end bya wall 34, the wall 33 being provided with an inclined portion 35 in engagement with an inclined reinforcing wall 36 formed on member 18 and arranged a predetermined distance from the end 34. By the aforesaid arrangement the casing is provided with a narrow channel 37 arranged in one end and a cam surface 38 arranged in the other end thereof. The member 19 is provided with an inclined wall 39 terminating in a flange 41 whereupon an annular channel 42 is formed between the flange 41 and the section carrying the annular member 19. A gasket 4% composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example as rubber is arranged within the channel 42. The member 19 has formed therein a slot 43 for receiving a nipple 44 formed on the section carrying the member 19. The aforesaid arrangement provides means whereby a locking pin or key 45 may be forcibly driven into the casing 28 thereby to cause locking and sealing of the sealing means, FIG. 4. A plurality of nibs or prongs'46 are formed on walls =33 of the casings 28 and disposed within channels 37 for engagement with grooves 47 formed in pins 45. By this arrangement the pins are maintained locked to the casing 28 and separation of the sealing means is prevented.

When the sections are sealed, FIG. 4, it will be noted that flange 24 on member 18 is in sealing engagement with gasket 26, the flange 41 on member 19 is in sealing engagement with gasket 26, the aforesaid flanges and gaskets being maintained in sealing engagement by the pin 45.

During sealing of the sections it will be understood that the locking pin 45 is inserted into nipples 44 with theend thereof engaging the cam surface 38 as at 48, FIG. 4, and the flanges 24-41 spaced from gaskets 40 26. By the use of a hammer or other suitable tool the pin is forcibly driven downwardly and thus as the end of the pin rides on the cam surface 33 the sections are moved axially. When this occurs gasket 26 is compressed by flange 41 and gasket 40 is compressed by flange 24 and as the pin moves beyond the cam surface and enters channel 37 the seal between the aforesaid sealing components is suificiently tight to provide a leakproof join. When the device is in a collapsed condition, FIG. 2, the opposite end thereof is closed by covers 20 and 30.

It will be noted, FIG], that the casing 64 is similar to casing 28 and comprises a body portion 65 having an opening 66 extending therethrough and a cam portion 67 formed therein similar to cam portion 38 and casing 23, the pin 45 being adapted to draw and lock the sections 13 and 14 in sealing relation with respect to each other. In this arrangement, however, the casing is provided with a flange 68, FIGS. 6 and 7, secured to the bulkhead 22 in any suitable manner such, for example as welding the parts together.

The nose 69 and tail 73 are detachably secured to sections and 14 respectively by at least two or more locking devices, one of the locking devices being more clearly shown on FIG. 8 and comprises a leaf spring 71 carried by the nose and tail respectively and having a locking pin 72 for locking the nose and tail to their respective sections as the pin engages an opening 73 formed therein.

It will be noted, FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, that the center section 12 is provided with hangers or supporting lugs 51 which are adapted to engage conventional release devices carried by the aircraft, the section being further provided with a reinforcing element 52. Each section 11, 12 and 13 is provided with an arming wire guide 53, and sections 11 and 14 are each provided with a well 54- in which is arranged a conventional igniter, each well being sealed by a cover 55. Moreover, to facilitate filling of the container after the container has been extended and sealed in the aforesaid manner, sections 1 3 and 12 are each provided with a filling opening 56 having a conventional type locking and sealing cap 57.

Futhermore, the diametrically disposed fins 59, FIG. 1B, are constructed in such a manner as to be readily attached and detached at will from the brackets 61 secured to the tail section, a plurality of apertures '62 within the fins for receiving bolts engageable by slots 63 formed within the brackets being provided for this purpose. It will be understood, however, that the fins are detached from the tail section and the aforesaid sections are collapsed, FIG. 2, when the device is to be transported.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a new and improved collapsible bomb casing or container has been devised having novel sealing and locking means for sealing and locking a plurality of telescoping sections when the sections are in an extended position, which is capable of withstanding the force to which it is subjected during a high speed flight when exteriorly mounted on an aircraft and which is readily collapsed for transportation and storage and whichis readily assembled for service within a minimum period of time without the use of many different types of tools.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A collapsible fire bomb container comprising a nose section, a central section, an aft section and a tail section, said nose, aft and tail sections being generally conical and said central section being generally cylin drical in configuration, each of said nose, aft and tail sections having a maximum longitudinal dimension less than the length of said central section and of progressively decreasing diameter less than the inside diameter of the central section whereby said nose, aft and tail sections may be completely enclosed within the central section in telescopic array when the container is collapsed, a first annular member carried by an end portion of one of said sections and having an annular channel formed therein, a first gasket arranged within said channel, a second annular member carried by an end portion of another one of said sections, said second annular member having a second annular channel formed therein, a second gasket arranged within said second channel, a first flange formed on said first member in sealing engagement with said second gasket, a second flange formed on said second member in sealing engagement with said first gasket, means including a plurality of circumferentially arranged pins disposed radially within said members and locked to said second member for locking the sections together and maintaining said flanges in sealing engagement with said gaskets without applying stress to the central longitudinal portion of any of said sections, and cam means carried by said second member and engaged by said pins as the pins are driven into said members for forcibly moving said flanges'into sealing engagement with said gaskets.

2. A collapsible fire bomb container adapted to be assembled as a unitary structure and comprising a plurality of telescoping sections of cylindrical cross-section, a first annular member carried by an end portion of one of said sections and having an annular channel formed therein, a first gasket arranged within said channel, a second annular member carried by another one of said sections and having a second annular channel formed therein, a second gasket arranged within said second channel, a first flange formed on said first member in sealing engagement with said second gasket, 2. second flange formed on said second member in sealing engagement with said first gasket, a plurality of circumferentially arranged casings secured to said second'membe'r, a plurality of locking pins arranged within said casings respectively for maintaining said flanges in sealing engagement with said gaskets and said plurality of sections in a locked condition without applying stress to the longitudinal central portion of any of said sections, cam

means carried by each of said casings and engaged by said pins as the pins are driven into said casings for forcibly moving said flanges into sealing engagement with the gasket, and means including a plurality of prongs on each of said casings in engagement with said locking pins for locking the pins to the casings.

3. A collapsible fire bomb container comprising a nose section, a central section, an aft section and a tail section, said nose, aft and tail sections being generally conical and said central section being generally cylindrical in configuration, each of said nose, aft and tail sections having an outside longitudinal dimension less than the length of said central section and a progressively decreasing contour of less diameter than the inside diameter of the central section whereby said nose, aft and tail sections may be completely enclosed within the central section in telescopic arrangement when the container is collapsed, a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures disposed circumferentially about each end portion of said central section, a plurality of sockets circumferentially and radially arranged on the larger end portions of the nose and aft sections respectively and adapted to be'brought into alignment with said apertures when the nose, central and aft sections are assembled together, each of said sockets having a cam surface formed thereon, a plurality of annular gasket retaining devices secured to said nose, central and aft sections adjacent said sockets and apertures in such manner that the nose, central and aft sections are sealed together when the apertures are brought into alignment with said sockets, a plurality of additional sockets radially arranged and secured interiorly to the larger end portion of said tail section, a plurality of apertures formed in the smaller end portion of said aft section and adapted to be aligned with said additional sockets when the tail section is assembled to the aft section, means including a plurality of annular gaskets carried by the aft and tail sections in closely spaced adiacency with said last named apertures and additional sockets for efiecting a seal between said aft and tail secsaid pins tightly closing said seals as the pins engage the cam surface portions of the sockets during entry thereof into said sockets, means for sealing the smaller end of said nose section, and means for sealing the smaller end of said tail section.

4. A container according to claim 3 including a tapered nose element having a base portion conforming substantially to the configuration of the smaller end portion of said nose section, and means including at least one spring pressed pin for locking the nose element to said nose section.

5. A container according to claim 4 including a generally conical pointed tail member having a base substantially equal to the configuration of the smaller end portion of said tail section, and means including at least one spring pressed pin for locking said tail member to the tail section.

,6. A container according to claim 3 including a plurality of reinforced annular nipples formed about said aperturesand within which the pins are fitly disposed for increasing the strength of said sections adjacent thereto suficiently to withstand the pressure of the pins as the pins are forced into said sockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 770,621 Whyte Sept. 20, 1904 829,862 Ely Aug. 28, 1906 1,573,071 Kaye Feb. 16, 1926 2,260,802 Conrad Oct. 28, 1941 2,653,541 Kanode et a1. Sept. 29, 1953 

